Print
Category: Bike Rides 2006
Hits: 5417
 

Which came first? The Bicycle or The Combine Harvester

Surreal isn't the word for this wonderful ride to Aberdour in Fife. The Spokes Ride was DRY and WARM and SUNNY, we had 19 people turn up. We missed all the rain by going to Aberdour. Lunch was accompanied by a Jazz Trio at the Woodside Hotel. Very civilised. Quite possibly the best sticky toffee pudding I have ever had, simply sublime. The only downside was the large number of punctures. Unfortunately 2 people had to take the train home, but everyone seemed to have a great time.

Rollered

Well Lamia was right. "Brand New Key" was before "I've got a brand new combine harvester".

She (the singer) does, according to the song, have a brand new pair of roller skates, andnot a bicycle. The tune was nabbed by the Wurzels. Here are the lyrics by Melanie Safka. The song, "Brand New Key", is on the album Neighborhood 4201, December 1971, and was also sung by Deana Carter. Try not to sing Ooh-arrhh, ooh-arrhh to this song!!!!

I rode my bicycle past your window last night
I roller-skated to your door at daylight
It almost seems that you're avoiding me
I'm okay alone but you've got something I need

Well, I've gotta brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I think that we should get together
And try them out ya see
I've been lookin' around a while
You got somethin' for me
Oh, I've gotta brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key

I ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car
Don't go too fast, but I go pretty far
For somebody who don't drive I've been all around the world
Some people say I've done alright for a girl

I asked your mother if you were at home
She said yes, but you weren't alone
Oh, sometimes I think that you're avoiding me
I'm okay alone but you got something I need

Well, I've gotta brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I think that we should get together
And try them out ya see
Oh, I've gotta brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
Oh, I've gotta brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key

Unfortunately The Wurzels' song didn't appear until much later. Thanks to Peter for supplying a CD with other tracks by Melanie. This will be passed around.

A wonderful day for a bike ride despite all that :-)

Less contentious

Meal, will be at Urban Angel, will be on Friday 17th November. The restaurant has a good selection of Fair Trade produce on offer, and a good selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. See http://www.urban-angel.co.uk/ and http://www.edinburgh-eating.com/12067.htm for details. The food is supposed to be pretty amazing. Let me know if you want to come along. The Burgh has closed down!!!!!

Remember there are other rides in the month. Third Sunday of the month – Anne Carter (CTC) 10:00am, leaving just after, at the Commonwealth Pool. Around 12 miles, same speed as the Spokes Ride, lunch not usually taken but suggest taking a snack. See the CTC Lothians website, http://www.ctclothians.org.uk, for more details.

Next month's ride is on the 5th November, please bring lights, sparklers optional, the clocks go back at the end of October. You may need lights to get home safely. And if you don't come along next month, you'll be one month older when you do!!!!

Warm Regards,

Explore, Dream, Discover

"The best rides are the ones where you bite off much more than you can chew--and live through it." ~ Doug Bradbury

Ride Statistics

Distance:       64.5km (40.3 miles)
Average Speed:  17.9 km/h (11.18mph)
Total Climbing: 649m (2129 feet) and you lot thought it was flat!!!!
Time:           3 hours 50 minutes
Max. Temp.:     17 deg C (62.6 deg F) (14 deg C at the Usher Hall)

Route Description

A beautiful day, nice and dry We left the Usher Hall at 10:22, as Sara Davies had a puncture. We went along to Fountainbridge to the cycle steps (where Sara had another puncture), down Dalry Road, along Murieston Crescent to Russell Rd and on to the cycle path to join National Route 1 at Roseburn. We followed to route out of Edinburgh, through Barnton to Cramond Brig. Up the cycle path from Cramond Brig, we turned off route 1 at New Burnshot. We followed the minor road to Kirkliston, turning right to access StandingStane Rd, turned on to Railway Path at Dalmeny. This From there we went along Morrison Gdns to access Forth Road Bridge. Neil turned back here. We went down to the roundabout, then headed for Inverkeithing.

We followed the signs for National Cycle Route 1 for the Coastal Path, this took us through Inverkeithing, past the old Inverkeithing harbour, past the quarry to Dalgety Bay, no one had to get off and push up the path!!! We joined Lumsdaine Drive and went along Moray Way South to join Beech Avenue. Beech Avenue took us from Dalgety Bay to Aberdour.We arrived just after 12:30.

Other cyclists arrived at 1:30 and 2:00 pm, so we waited until they had something to eat. We eventually left at 3:00 pm. We followed Beech Avenue back to Dalgety Bay, we do not stop at St. Bridget's or Donibristle churches, but we did follow the coastal path, made a little exciting by slippery rocks. We then followed the route from Dalgety Bay, back to Inverkeithing, the Forth Road Bridge, South Queensferry, arriving at Cramond Brig at about 5:00pm.